Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman’s kids are breaking their silence.
After the Minnesota lawmaker and her husband were fatally shot June 14 in what Governor Tim Walz called a “politically motivated assassination,” their children, Sophie and Colin, have spoken out.
“We are devastated and heartbroken at the loss of our parents, Melissa and Mark,” the couple’s children said in a statement to People. “They were the bright lights at the center of our lives, and we can’t believe they are gone. Their love for us was boundless. We miss them so much.”
The Hortmans’ surviving family members continued to express gratitude for the support over the last several days.
“We want everyone to know that we are both safe and with loved ones,” the statement continued. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received, and we appreciate your respect for our family’s privacy as we grieve.”
E! News has attempted to reach the Hortman family for comment but has not yet heard back.
Sophie and Colin’s statement comes three days after Melissa, 55, and her husband were shot dead in the early hours of the morning June 14. Authorities arrested Vance Boelter, 57, June 16 who is suspected to have killed the Hortmans, after a two-day manhunt.
Hours before killing the Hortmans, Boelter allegedly visited the home of other Minnesota officials including Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette Hoffman, acting Minnesota District Attorney Joseph Thompson said in a press conference, per NBC News.
At around 2 a.m., police say Boelter arrived at the Hoffmans’ residence disguised as a police officer and wore a hyper-realistic silicone mask over his face. Thompson explained during a news conference that the couple answered the door after Boelter yelled, “This is the police!”
Upon opening the door, however, the couple quickly realized Boelter was not a police officer as the suspect forced his way into their home and shot them both, according to authorities. The couple’s daughter called 911 and they remain in the hospital in critical condition.
“Boelter planned his attack carefully,” Thompson said at a press conference, per NBC News. “He researched his victims and their families. He used the internet and other tools to find their addresses and names, the names of the family members. He conducted surveillance of their homes and took notes of the location of their homes.”
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